San Diego FC defeats Chicago Fire FC at Home

Saturday, July 12, 2025 (Chicago, IL)

Chicago Fire FC suffered a 2-1 home defeat to San Diego FC on Saturday night at Soldier Field. The loss marked their first-ever meeting with San Diego, with Hugo Cuypers scoring Chicago’s lone goal, his 12th of the season. The defeat leaves Chicago with a record of 8-9-4 and 28 points on the season, while San Diego improves to 13-6-3 with 42 points.

San Diego got on the scoreboard early, capitalizing on a low cross from Luca Bombino that Hirving Lozano redirected into the path of Anders Dreyer, who slotted it home. The same duo connected again just before halftime, this time finishing a counterattack to give San Diego a commanding 2-0 lead going into the break. Despite some strong possession and attacking intent from Chicago, San Diego’s clinical finishing made the difference in the first half.

Chicago ramped up the pressure in the second half and eventually found a breakthrough in the 86th minute. Substitute Maren Haile-Selassie delivered a corner that Cuypers volleyed into the net to give the Fire some late hope. Chicago pressed for an equalizer in stoppage time, but San Diego held firm to secure the victory. The Fire will now hit the road for two crucial matches, beginning with a midweek clash against Atlanta United on July 16, followed by a visit to CF Montréal on July 19.

Goals:
SD – Dreyer 8’
SD – Dreyer 45+3’
CHI – Cuypers 87’

Discipline:
SD – Valakari (Yellow Card) 2’
CHI – Pineda (Yellow Card) 30’
SD – Boateng (Yellow Card) 82’
CHI – Gutiérrez (Yellow Card) 90+6’

City: Chicago, IL

Stadium: Soldier Field

Attendance: 27,631

Referee: Victor Rivas
Assistant Referees: Oscar Mitchell, Eduardo Jeff
Fourth Official: Lorenzo Hernandez
VAR: Daniel Radford
AVAR: Tom Supple

Photography by: SAM G